Read Online The Earl and the Highwayman's Daughter by Maggi Andersen - Free Book Online Page A

Neal.”
    She frowned. “Must I have one?”
    He arched a brow. “Ladies don’t ride astride, Eugenia.”
    “Who is going to see me here?”
    “And you must ride with the groom.”
    “Can’t I ride with you, my lord?”
    A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “You are determined. My sister would be outraged.”
    She grinned. “Must she learn of it? I should not like to upset her.”
    He stroked his chin. “I intend for you to receive instruction before I take you riding in Rotten Row.”
    “Rotten what, my lord?” she asked as she followed him along the horse boxes.
    “It’s where the ton ride in Hyde Park.”
    “I thought this one, milord.” Mr. Pollitt waited at a horse stall.
    “I see Neal has selected a good mount for you.”
    The groom led out a short, solid grey horse. “This is Grey Dreamer, Miss Hawthorne.” He went to fetch the saddle.
    Dismayed, Eugenia stared at the horse. “I’m to ride a pony?” She’d been patting a tall chestnut gelding who had thrust his handsome head over the door of the box. “She looks half asleep.”
    His lordship threw back his head and laughed. “Then you shall wake her. Grey Dreamer is my stallion’s companion. Neal, please assist Miss Hawthorne to mount.”
    Eugenia eyed the sidesaddle. It looked impossibly foolish. “Can I not use an ordinary saddle?”
    His lordship shook his head. “That is unacceptable. And I’m losing patience.”
    With the groom’s help, she clambered onto the saddle and arranged her leg around the pommel. She took up the reins and reached for the crop, and then as his lordship mounted his stallion, she walked the animal out onto the cobblestones in the stable yard.
    Once out in the sunshine, Grey Dreamer appeared to droop. Eugenia nudged the animal in its round belly with the heel of her half boot. The grey came alive and took off down the carriage drive with his lordship yelling instructions behind her. The horse then lurched sideways onto the lawn, heading straight for the rose garden.
    “Whoa,” Eugenia cried, tugging on the reins. Her face burned with distress. What would his lordship think if she trampled his garden? With one final violent tug, she managed to steer the stubborn horse away from the roses and pull her up. Grey Dreamer bent her head, and with delicate precision, picked up a fallen rose, and munched it, a serene expression in her big brown eyes. “You are a fraud, Grey Dreamer,” Eugenia said with disgust.
    Lord Trentham joined her on his magnificent burnished gold stallion. “I’m glad you managed to stop the mare,” he said. “My head gardener would be livid if the horse attacked his prize roses.” He reached across and took the reins from her.
    “I can manage her, my lord,” she said, her face hot.
    “We shall not risk it, Eugenia. I don’t wish to face my sister’s wrath. And you might get hurt.”
    “You said I required instruction,” she said, dismayed. “Better here, surely, then amid a group of seasoned riders who will make me look foolish. Can we ride just a little way along the bridle path?” She was determined to show him she could ride well.
    He frowned. “It’s against my better judgment.”
    “Please?” She eyed him carefully. “I may lose my confidence and not be able to face the riders in Rotten Row.”
    He patted the neck of his horse, which had begun to nuzzle Grey Dreamer. “Oh very well,” he said at last. “I’ll lead your horse to the bridle path. I’m not about to put my gardens at further risk. I suspect Grey Dreamer has a fancy for roses.”
    Reaching the path, his lordship handed the reins to her. “Keep the horse to a walk, Eugenia.”
    Eugenia bit her lip. This was her chance. Walking along a path would prove nothing. A child could do it. She would be careful not to nudge the horse quite so hard this time. Grey Dreamer was foxing. The horse was far more awake than she made out. Perhaps she was not often ridden and wanted for exercise. A gentler tap